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| Our moving truck, outside our former residence in Bourbonnais. |
This past Ash Wednesday I (Ian) preached a sermon where I encouraged our congregation at Manteno Nazarene concerning the fast many of us were about to engage in during Lent. I spoke of how we sometimes get pulled by the extremes of spiritual compromise and spiritual radicalism. I said we think the only way we can guarantee that we're not being compromising in our faith is to go to the other extreme and become "radicals"--the ones who, for instance, go serve as missionaries to Africa. I encouraged our congregation to think of spiritual disciplines--like fasting during Lent--as the balance between these two extremes of compromise and radicalism. I said: "The path of the 'compromiser' is marked by compromise; the path of the 'radical' is marked by radicalism; but the path of the 'disciple' is marked by discipline. I know God doesn’t want 'compromisers,' but I’m not sure he wants 'radicals' either. I think he wants disciples. And to be a disciple is to engage in discipline."
Well, I still believe this is the truth, but that was about two months before the Lord began to make it clear that he wanted Hillary and I to take what some might call a rather 'radical' step. As you know, we've been called to serve as missionary volunteers in Ecuador. We have accepted this call, and are well underway with preparations to leave for our mission field at the end of this August. The most recent preparation we've made has left us homeless. Yep, you heard right, we've already moved out of our house, packed our stuff up in storage, and are now staying with gracious friends and then later with family while we finish up work and try to save and raise support for our upcoming departure.
So have we become "radicals"? Have we left the path of discipline for the path of radicalism? No, I don't think so. I think we're still just trying to live as disciples, engaging in the disciplines that mark the life of disciples of Christ. The greatest discipline all Christians engage in, however, is the discipline of obedience, and whether or not our obedience looks 'radical' to anyone else is really none of our concern. Hillary and I are obeying the clear and confirmed call we've received from the Lord to go to Ecuador. This is not radicalism; it's discipline. Our only agenda is to be faithful followers, faithful disciples of our Master, Jesus.
We want to thank everyone who has supported us thus far in helping us pursue the calling we've received. We especially thank our family at Manteno Church of the Nazarene for their tremendous support and encouragement. We thank God for your sacrifices, which are helping make us able to follow where our Master is leading us right now. We are thankful to have received a calling that we simply cannot meet without the support of the church. To be dependent upon other disciples of Jesus is a true blessing! May we all embrace the discipline of obedience... whether that leaves us homeless or not. :-)
Great insights, Ian. I just had an awesome conversation with a "Radical" on what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We talked for a very long time and finally concluded - The Holy Spirit's job is glorify the Father, and that's done through the Son, and that's done through the gospel. So being a disciple means pointing people to Jesus, whether you're a radical or not. I think the fact that you're both willing to be radical says a lot about the balance between being critical of the "radical" movement and at the same time being willing to give everything up. Excited to see what the Lord will do!
ReplyDeleteNick, thanks for the comment. We're just willing to do what disciples do: follow our Master.
ReplyDeleteOne other quick thing: It strikes me as I reread what I've written that it might seem that I'm taking a specific jab at those who've resonated with David Platt's book "Radical." I honestly wasn't thinking of him or his book at all when I wrote this sermon or this blog post. Just thought I'd make sure and say that in case anyone misunderstands me.